The excitement is building for Pancake Mock 2009. There were a lot of requests for teams that weren't available, so there are still seven spots available. If you were shut out the first time, this is your shot.

We're going to start this on Monday: I'll post with the final details tomorrow on how to send in your material, but we're capping all writeups at 150 words. If you want one of the seven remaining teams, please claim them in the comments and leave your email address as requested when you post the comment. (Not in the comment itself.) In fact, if the other 25 owners can leave their email in the comment form with a confirmation, that would help us have everyone's information in one place in case we need you. Thanks for rocking out with us. The assignments and available spots are after the jump.

And sorry for the lack of proper posts. Making up for some lost time with our magazine while I can.

Continue reading "Pancake Mock Update and Assignments" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 06:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (35)

Fred Jackson is currently sitting out voluntary workouts over displeasure with his contract. The Bills value Jackson highly and are open to upgrading his pay, so this looks to be a minor obstacle.

Though it may be reduced upon appeal, Marshawn Lynch's three-game suspension sets up Jackson to open the season as Buffalo's starter.

Jackson was undrafted out of Coe College in 2006. He is not a homerun hitter and is built a bit oddly for a tailback at 6'1/215. He can play, however.

Continue reading "Fred Jackson's window of opportunity" »

Posted by Evan Silva at 11:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (14)

A tradition just like many others begins this week. That's right: the second annual Pancake Blocks Mock Draft.

We're well behind where we were on this day a year ago, but there is plenty of time to catch up. Sign up below for what team you will draft for, with three already taken. I've got the Patriots, Evan has the second pick with the Rams (again), and Chris will take the Bengals. Even though he says he doesn't root for them anymore, we all know he does.

So first come, first serve sign up below and we'll get this thing started as soon as we can. I'll follow up with details once the teams are set.

In the meantime, check out my team needs for the AFC East and North.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 02:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (43)

The Jets will host Cowboys restricted free agent Miles Austin on Friday. If the Jets are serious about acquiring him, they'll need to fork over their second-round pick (No. 52 overall) and a contract, probably somewhere between Nate Washington's six-year, $27M deal and Brandon Jones' five-year, $16.5M pact.

Austin, who entered the league undrafted out of Monmouth, has only 18 career catches for 354 yards (19.7 YPC) and three touchdowns.

However, the 24-year-old has obvious ability. Austin was Monmouth's all-time leading receiver, so it isn't like he's new to catching passes. He ran 4.47 at the 2006 Combine and goes 6'3/215. Among receivers who saw fewer than 50 targets in 2008, Austin was the fourth-most productive according to Football Outsiders.

Continue reading "Jets' interest reflects well on Miles Austin" »

Posted by Evan Silva at 02:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (10)

We’ve already covered the fallout from the Larry Johnson grievance ruling. He carries no trade value at this point, but the Chiefs can now safely dump him without swallowing a chunk of guaranteed money. So if LJ is currently persona non grata in K.C., where is he most likely to resurface?

Saints – Michael Lombardi believes the Saints should be all over LJ should the Chiefs release him, and Sean Payton is dying to add a power back to his offense.

Seahawks – If Seattle uses the No. 4 pick on Mark Sanchez, they still have to upgrade offensive tackle and linebacker early in the draft. Running back would be left unaddressed, with Julius Jones as one of the few starters around the league who would take an immediate backseat to LJ.

Continue reading "Who wants Larry Johnson?" »

Posted by Chris Wesseling at 12:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (14)

Our third Oklahoma Drill arose when Evan Silva took issue with Chris Wesseling's Ted Ginn post from the morning. Silva almost always agrees with Wess, but thought he was a little harsh on Ginn in the blurb.

Evan: Who are the Dolphins going to start "pushing Ted Ginn down the depth chart" with? He's far and away, blowing everyone else out of the water, Miami's best receiver.

Chris: Acquisitions after the 2009 season. You expect them to sit on their hands and not ever address the position when it's clearly not a team strength?

Evan: Why would I? They haven't done it this offseason. Ginn is their best wideout, bar none. It isn't like they have guys waiting in the wings to take his job.

Chris: The guy was a Top-10 overall pick. If he doesn't play well in this his third year, I have complete confidence that WR will be a priority next offseason.

Evan: How is it a make or break season then? The guy is just turning 24. If anything, he's a player on the rise. He made major strides as a second-year receiver and arguably the league's best front office has shown supreme faith in him. He remains the Dolphins' No. 1 receiver by a mile.

Continue reading "Oklahoma Drill: The Development of Ted Ginn" »

Posted by Evan Silva at 02:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (28)

ESPN.com has a cool new tool to help amateur draftniks while away even more time at the cubicle: Introducing the NFL Draft Machine.

Peter King shares 10 draft nuggets from NFL Network's Mike Mayock, who says this is the worst year he’s ever seen for picking in the Top-10.

Michael Lombardi believes the best time to draft a quarterback is when you have one, but don’t the Seahawks have too many other needs?

Continue reading "Skinny Posts: NFL Draft nuggets" »

Posted by Chris Wesseling at 12:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

A year ago at this time, Rotoworld was giving Laurent Robinson's ascension to a starting role in April top story status. Now he's getting given away for a couple second day moves in the NFL draft.

So what happened?

1. First of all, it's a good reminder that OTA and minicamp depth charts don't mean much. Robinson quickly lost ground to Michael Jenkins and Harry Douglas, who have cemented long-term roles with Matt Ryan.

Continue reading "Laurent Robinson gets a second chance" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 09:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

JaMarcus Russell finished last season as the fantasy QB24. Unlike Trent Edwards heading into 2009 and Matt Schaub a year earlier, Russell's peripheral numbers (6.6 YPA, 53.8% completions) do not line up well for a leap. Russell threw only six picks, but lost seven fumbles and his work ethic has been questioned ever since he entered the league.

Still, the Raiders believe in Russell, are desperate for him to succeed, and will keep him on a long leash. They brought in Jeff Garcia strictly to be a back up. Russell isn't headed for a serious camp battle, but has to feel more urgency.

Continue reading "Russell should feel urgency with Garcia in Silver & Black" »

Posted by Evan Silva at 03:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

"Special Master" Stephen Burbank ruled Monday that the Chiefs are no longer on the hook for any guaranteed money to Larry Johnson over the next two years.

Would the Chiefs have gone through the trouble of filing the grievance if they wanted to keep LJ around in 2009? The Kansas City Star doesn’t think so.

Johnson has spent the past five months griping about everything from his diminished role in the spread offense to his discomfort with living in Kansas City. Throw in the risk of suspension to open the season, and the new regime figures to wash their hands of the malcontent while they have the chance.

Continue reading "Larry Johnson not long for K.C." »

Posted by Chris Wesseling at 02:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (16)